Page 93 of Moon Claimed
I couldn’t leave things like this.
My fangs pierced my gums and told me I was mistaken. Shifting into a wolf would be the straw on the camel’s back. “Rhona—”
She screamed, “Get out!”
“I’m not leaving you,” I lisped with the slight protrusion of my bulging incisors. “When you’ve had some time. When you have more questions. Or when you need me. I’ll be here. I love you, Rhona.Always.”
Her voice lost the whip-like edge.
In its place was a dark voice I’d never heard from a human mouth.
“You’re no daughter of my father’s. You are no Thana. I reject you as head steward. The stewards may accept you for now, but you have no dominion over me any longer. You are no sister of mine.”
Her words struck at the very oldest of my wounds and the most acute of my new fears. I gasped as my fangs surged.
“Get out,” she whispered.
Eyes blurring and hands over my mouth, I stumbled from Herc’s office.
15
I walked into the manor at dawn, waiting for the stewards to chase me out with pitchforks.
Rhona had all night to spread the sorry truth.
This was my mistake, my fuck up, and I’d come to face the music. Closure. Something no one had given me in my life. People deserved the chance to rant and rave and be furious.
But dread filled me.
The entranceway was empty of Tiptoe Eleanor, and I ducked through the kitchen to look out the window, scanning the training pavilions crammed with stewards.
Well, they were still focused on winning. That was good.
I should leave everything in order for Rhona in the office.
“Morning, Andie,” Roderick said cheerfully.
Jerking, I glanced at him. “Oh, hey… How are you this morning?”
“I feel better than most. Not much of a drinker. Are you ready to capitalise on the win? Everyone is itching for a fourth grid.”
He didn’t know. That much was obvious. “Uh. Absolutely ready. I’ll see you guys at eight.”
What the hell was going on?
Grabbing an apple, I walked to the office in a daze.
In Herc’s office, not a single book remained on the mahogany shelves. I’d seen Rhona sweep the desk clear, but she’d upturned the chairs and torn the curtains from their rails after I left.
I’d made her lose control to that degree. Just like Herc destroying her pride, I’d destroyed what was left of her. And from personal experience, I knew losing control to her temper would leave Rhona feeling like shit.
Closing the door, I set to work putting things to right. I could do that much. Maybe after, the way to setting things right with Rhona would be clearer.
By the time I’d finished, 8:00 a.m. loomed. I took a minute to ensure I had a hold of my forest calm, then dragged my ass to the meeting.
This was it for sure.
“Sorry, I got caught up.” I entered the room.